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Local Disability Charity The Cedar Foundation is looking for people to join its Proteus funded ATLAS course.
Liz Cunningham practises some first aid on Chris McCallin as Martin Kelly looks on
ATLAS stands for Adaptive Technology leading Assessment Solutions which basically means that you would be trained in the use of adaptive technology; which allows people with disabilities to enter the workplace because they have the adaptive technology such as special computers, screens or desks etc, to enable them to do their job.
This is an exciting project, which fills a much needed gap in the job market as there aren’t enough assessors to go into companies and organisations such as colleges to check that they have the equipment needed for disabled people.
Liz Cunningham, from Cedar, developed the course and explains more:
"We applied for funding through PROTEUS to fund the ATLAS project to train 15 unemployed people to be adaptive technology assessors. Anyone from across Northern Ireland can join the course, you just have to be aged between 18-65, have a good knowledge of IT, be interested in learning new skills and in gaining a qualification in Assessment Techniques.
"The Course runs for 17 weeks which includes training at The Cedar Foundation Training and Resource Centre at Balmoral, Belfast, as well as a visit to Enable Ireland in Dublin.
"You will initially be able to assess the technology needs of trainees in our centre and then be able to move on to assessing companies or colleges. At the end of the course you will have a recognised qualification which will allow you to be an independent assessor, an essential role in today’s changing environment for disabled people in the community."
One of the examples of ATLAS in action was an assessment carried out for another local charity to assess a visually impaired person with learning disabilities needs in IT to enable them to take part in a course. Their needs were ascertained and the correct equipment put in place for them. This is important work, as employers also need to be educated in the use of adaptive technology, which at first may sound daunting, but in the end could be as simple as buying a screen for a computer to magnify the text for a visually impaired person.
If you would like to find out more about the ATLAS project please contact:
Liz Cunningham/Niall Irwin
ATLAS
The Cedar Foundation
1 Upper Lisburn Road
BELFAST BT10 0GW
t: 028 90 612424
e: l.cunningham@cedar-foundation.org
The Cedar Foundation is a voluntary organisation working in partnership with people with disabilities throughout Northern Ireland to provide a range of services, from supported living projects promoting independent living and community based support services to training that enhances skill and opportunities in education, training and employment.
The Cedar Foundation also provides information and practical support services to parents and young people with disabilities. Central to all our services are the themes of user involvement, inclusion and empowerment.
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